The Air Force Museum in Palam, Delhi covers the history of the Indian Air Force from 1930 to present. It is built on 4 acres and houses the largest collection of aircraft in India both indoors and outdoors. Indoor galleries display photographs, uniforms and models while the largest hangar exhibits about 30 aircraft along with portraits and memorials. The museum provides insight not only into the history of the Indian Air Force but also the development of military aviation in India over time.
The Naval Aviation Museum in Bogmalo, Goa focuses on the history of the Indian Naval Air Arm. Spread over 3.6 acres, it has outdoor aircraft displays and a two-story indoor gallery. The museum aims to inspire visitors and
2. AIR FORCE MUSEUM
Location
Area
Palam, New Delhi
4 acres.
The IAF Museum, Palam is the first ever Aerospace museum of India. The IAF Museum has the largest collection of aircrafts. It
showcases the achievements of IAF since 1930.
It is built on the property of Northern Air Command. The museum offers a insight not only into the history of the India Air Force but a
complete picture of Military aviation in India. Starting From the initial days when Indian aviators flew for the Royal Flying Corps during the First
World War, right up to the days of the Kargil Operations. The visitor is regaled with pictures, mementoes, souvenirs, models, and the actual
aircraft themselves
PICTURE PROFILE
The Indian Air Force Established 1955
ELEV
ATION ENTRANCE
3. DESIGN ANALYSIS
SITE ZONNING AND CIRCULATION
• The site is irregular in shape and flat with an area of around 4
acres.
• It is approached from Palam road 15 m wide with entrance at a
setback of 5 m from the road.
• As the museum is entered, a black ceramic tiled walkway with
hedges on both sides, leads to the War memorial towards right.
• Further ahead lies the entrance to the museum block with indoor
gallery space than opens up further to the large hangar at the
end.
• On the left lies the museum office and the cafeteria.
• The outdoor exhibits are not very much distributed except for
two parts of the site with Outdoor displays as most of the
aircrafts are accommodated within the hangar.
• The site orientation is such that the outdoor galleries open up
towards south sun.
4. INDOOR GALLERY1
• The museum houses two display galleries. First gallery, single storeyed, is entered, it has a reception counter and adjoins the hangar.
•The indoor gallery‐1 exhibits photographs and uniforms along with various small models
Divided into various sections like the Air Chiefs Section, the Roll of Honour section etc.
• The gallery area is very small with respect to the adjoining hangar.
• The circulation pattern is linear and exhibits are placed along it in glass cases that define the walkway.
• The proportion of the gallery with lower ceiling, smaller width and great length makes it uncomfortable to move within the space.
• Once the gallery is entered the visitor has to walk the entire length of the space to reach to a small door that leads to the big hangar.
INDIVIDUAL SPACES
42m
2m
5. The second indoorgalleryliesin one corner of the site
alongthe boundary
.
• The blockissinglestoreyed and housesdocuments
and weaponrypreserved over a courseof wars.
•The block has circulationdirected due to the
U‐shapedbuildingprofilealongwhichthe exhibits are
beingplaced.
• Most of the displayboards are vacant.
• Same linear pattern of exhibition is followed without
anysurprises whichdoes not attract visitor’sattention.
INDOOR GALLERY 2 & 3 36m
2m
g
2
G
3
6. After crossing the entire length of Gallery‐1, a door leads to the hangar that exhibits
around 30 aircrafts along with few portraits and memorials.
The hangar space measures 50m x 75 m and is a vast area with enough circulation space.
•The displays also include a vintage car used byAir Chief Marshall along with a statue
of Flag Off. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.
• The circulation is not restricted linearly like the indoor galleries. They rather have a loop
formation hence giving a 360 degree efficient view of the aircrafts and other exhibits.
•To designate the circulation ,ropes are used along the walkway and aircrafts are placed
along it.
•Aviewing platform is provided to have overall view of the hangar, however insufficient
height makes it impossible to view far off exhibits.
HANGERS
7. OUTDOOR GALLERY
There Werecertain aircrafts like bombers and transport vehicles
which could not be accommodated inside the hangar due to their
large size. Hence these are displayed in outdoor galleries
•The outdoor gallery also showcases tanks and crashed aircrafts,
helicopters and armory captures from Pakistan during the
Indo‐Pak war 1971
•The information boards are not placed in coordination with the
exhibits.
• The outdoor exhibit spaces are not designed harmoniously.
8. STRUCTURE
• The structural system involved in the construction
of large span hangar is portal frame made out of
rolled steel sections bolted together.
MATERIALS USED
All the buildings on the site display their formal military
character and hence fail to stand out as unique built
structure.
•The walkway to the museum from the entrance is
paved with concrete paving blocks.
• War memorial and the pathway to it are made of black
marble.
Steel is mainly used.
Bricks are used in construction of galleries.
9. SWOT ANALYSIS
WEAKNESS
1.The lighting is very dull and
inappropriate, with no natural
lighting in indoor gallery‐1 The
Illumination maintained in
indoor gallery‐2 with natural
lighting does not highlight
exhibits.
2.The outdoor spaces are not
planned as could have been
regarding large spaces for
display.
3.The viewing platform in
hangar does not prove to be
effective as only few aircrafts at
certain distance can be viewed.
STRENGTH
1. Area
2. More outdoor
spaces
OPPORTUNITY
1.Currency exchange service
2.Circulation
3.Form of building
4.Parking
5.Café
6.It must be universally
assessable
7.landscaping
THREAT
1. The building has no
architectural expression in its
envelope and internal spaces,
hence fails to attract tourist.
2.The circulation inside the
galleries is linear and dull. It
does not define patterned
movement hence few exhibits
are always out of general view.
10. The museum was founded on 12 October 1998 with a collection of 6 aircraft. The Naval Aviation Museum is a military
aviation museum located in Bogmalo, 6 kilometres from Vasco da Gama, Goa, India focused on the history of the
Indian Naval Air Arm. The museum is divided into two main parts, an outdoor exhibit and a two-storey indoor gallery.
It’s a one of a kind museum and the first Naval Aviation Museum to be set up in Asia. On the global front, only 7 such
museums exist across the world, and Naval Aviation Museum Goa is one of them.
PICTURE PROFILE
INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUME WAS STABLISHED
1998
Location :- Bogmalo Road, Vasco da Gama, Goa
Area :- 3.6ACRES
Indian Naval Aviation Museum
11. DESIGN ANALYSIS
SITE ZONNING AND CIRCULATION
The site is irregular in shape and flat with an area of around
3.6acres.
It is approached from Bogmalo Road about 6km from the
port town of Vasco da Gama, more commonly known as
Vasco.
As the museum is entered, The office block is located in the
further entrance near the artifact room but has a smaller
tourist guide space and also has ventilation absent.
The museum also houses a photo gallery that
commemorates all the major naval battles that have taken
place since the formation of the Indian Navy. The freedom
struggle of Goa, notably the ‘Operation Vijay’ is depicted by a
stunning series of black and white photographs. The museum
is agreat place to visit, not only for its uniqueness in subject
matter, but also for an in-depth look at the glorious military
history of the country. The museum is also meant to inspire
people to look to the seas and the skies and their protectors.
The museum is built on a plateau which overlooks the
popular Bogmalo beach and gives one an unimpeded look at
the splendid ocean vistas.
ENTERANCE GATE
A Father Daughter duo read description about make and
operations of this aircraft
Engine Bay
Time Capsule
12. Museum was built as a tribute to the Indian Navy, its workforce and the key operations undertaken for the nation. A neat divide into indoor
and outdoor exhibits makes it easy to navigate the museum and soak in the information. Obviously, outdoor exhibits are a lot more exciting
to view.
Tickets can be purchased near the entrance where you are welcomed by the sight of
decommissioned aircrafts. Sea Harrier, Hughes, Vampire and Sea Hawk are among 13
decommissioned aircrafts on display. In true-blue style, they name their
cafeteria ‘Cockpit Café’. An engine bay near the cafeteria displays aircraft engines.
Indoor section is divided into ground and upper level. Sensors and Radars, Torpedoes and Missiles are displayed on modest furniture tables.
Notice boards are used to share key information about Goa Liberation and search operations undertaken by Indian Navy. Multimedia Room
and Hall of Silence were unfortunately closed during my visit.
Museum also shows photographs of Goa liberation and several other events related to Navy.
Lots of weapons and ammunition are also on display.
INDIVIDUAL SPACE
A Father Daughter duo read description about make and operations of this
aircraft
Exhibits are displayed on modest tables
Descriptions on notice board like stands
13. Uniforms of Indian Navy officers (men and women) adorn mannequins. Photographs of officers donning their uniform are pinned to notice
boards. Main hall on the upper level has a giant replica of INS Vikrant. One is quick to imagine the sheer size of this ship that accommodated
hundreds of search operation aircrafts and helicopters.
I also liked the Suraksha Room that had survival equipment for emergencies.
Parachutes, Pilot’s Ejection seat and Floating Dinghy were on display in this room.
At one end were rations and first aid kits. On reading the descriptions, one realizes
that navy officers lead a rather disciplined life. They are given rationed food and
water which they need to suffice for as long as three days in the event of an emergency.
As we left the museum, we noticed a Time Capsule (interesting sight and a first for me). Time Capsules are founded with the intention of
reopening them once again at a future date.
The Time Capsule at the Naval Aviation Museum Goa was placed in 1998 and will be opened again in 2048.
Some of the main things shown in the indoor galleries include military weapons which were attached to ships and
submarines. The attire or uniforms worn by the members of Indian naval Force: One end of gallery
showcases the bombs, torpedoes, and cannons used by the Indian navy for defense purposes.
Indian Navy Attire for Men
Suraksha Room
Time Capsule
14. inference
No ramps or any concept of barrier free design.
Roof need repair and maintained. -Security measures and fire safety
measures are bleak.
Danger and escape routes are not clear exits. -Pathways are not clear
due to less
lighting in the area. -No scope for expansion. -Exhibits need shade and
maintained
for preservation and conserve. -Aesthetic elements in the museum and
contemporary
approach is missing and still remains as a nonattractive structure.
Fairey Firefly HAL HT-2 being washed de Havilland Vampire
Various aircraft on display
Breguet Alizé
de Havilland Dove
Hawker Sea Hawk (center) Aircraft engines
Kamov Ka-25
Women's Naval Uniform
Men's Naval Uniform
